Holiday-Makers
Blackpool Revellers
25/06/09 15:14 Post: Blackpool Vistas
Taken at 01:05pm in Blackpool, Lancashire. UK. Wednesday 24th June 2009.
I recently read an article entitled ‘Personal Projects Can Make A Difference’ written by Grant Scott for a recent issue of Professional Photographer magazine that inspired me to take a closer look at the current direction of my photographic practice and, more importantly, to continue shooting new images for my personal projects. Like many photographers, personal work is the driving force for my creative inclinations and is an important aspect of any artistic practice.
As Grant Scott says in his article, “If you’re not shooting, your work isn’t progressing”. Simple as that.
Needless to say, I was throughly excited to get a free afternoon to photograph the people of Blackpool enjoying the glorious sunshine yesterday and get back into my element. One of my main reasons for staying in Blackpool after completing my photography degree and MA course is that I’m so utterly passionate and inspired by the diverse subject matter that the town has to offer. All you have to do is look for it and, to be honest, you don’t have to look too far.
The area between North Pier and Central Pier has always been one of my favourite locations for taking photographs in Blackpool as its what I consider to be the liveliest and most popular part of town for tourists and locals alike. In particular, the juxtaposition between the built environment and the people engaging within it has been a continuing feature of the photographs I’ve produced throughout this series. Yesterday, when I spotted this group of people sitting opposite the amusement arcade Coral Island, I noticed this juxtaposition and began taking a few photographs. The facade of Coral Island, with its prominent pirate skull (complete with eye patch), makes for a rather surreal backdrop for the people sat in the foreground. The title of this photograph is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek take on the expectation one may have of modern day Blackpool Revellers, with the town synonymous with large groups of people usually equating to hen/stag parties.
I’ve now added this photograph to the Blackpool: An Unimagined Space? gallery along with a couple of new photographs from yesterday’s shoot.
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 125
Focal Length: 85mm
Shutter Speed: 1/160th sec
F-Stop: f/14
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April 2009: Recent Work & News
30/04/09 18:11 Post: News
Today’s blog post is chance to show the latest addition to my Blackpool: An Unimagined Space? project and to share some news regarding the forthcoming SWPA Global Tour exhibitions and a reminder about the Bloomfield Talks book launch next month.
Taken at 02:49pm on Blackpool’s South Pier. Tuesday 31st March 2009.
SWPA Forthcoming Exhibitions
After the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony in Cannes earlier this month the SWPA Global Tour 2009/10 has already begun with showcases of the work at the Edge gallery in Hong Kong before moving on to the Hong Kong Art Fair (the details of which can be found on my exhibitions page). A number of limited edition prints from my starlings series will be on sale throughout the tour and will hopefully be seen in print by a global audience for the very first time.
Bloomfield Talks Book Launch
On the 9th May 2009 the launch of the new social history book ‘Bloomfield Talks’ will be launched at St. Peter’s church on Lytham Road, Blackpool. I will be exhibiting 14 photographs from my Blackpool projects (some of which appear in the book) as well as documenting a creative account of the event itself. Further information can be found on the Bloomfield Talks website.
Sizzle Network ‘Staying Upbeat in the Downturn’
On the 22nd April 2009 I attended my first ever Sizzle creative networking event at the Barcelo Imperial Hotel in Blackpool. The aim of the meeting was to cast a positive light into how artists and creative business’s can tackle and survive the current economic climate. The event was organised by Creative Lancashire and was a great opportunity to meet liked-minded artists in the Blackpool area. I would certainly recommend attending the next one in July...
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Life On The Sand Dunes
07/08/08 20:15 Post: Blackpool Vistas
Taken at 2:45pm at Stargate, Blackpool. Saturday 2nd August 2008.
Over the last five days I have frantically been gathering together all my research, contact sheets and notes for my MA course. Next month I will have to hand it all in and that will (hopefully) be the end of my studies (for now!). The only problem with coming to the end of the course is that I have to catch up on some written work, but I’m just constantly drawn to my camera and the thought of being out & about taking photographs. Anyway, I think I’m starting to get some sort of balance to the whole thing and all should be just fine.
This photograph is another from Saturday afternoon at the sand dunes in Stargate, Blackpool. I’ve always taken candid portraits when I go shooting and I think this is perhaps the best one I took that day.
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 47mm
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
F-Stop: f/16.0
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Sea Life
14/07/08 19:48 Post: Blackpool Vistas
Taken at 2:40pm on Blackpool Beach, Sunday 13th July 2008.
I began work on making a book featuring some of my favourite photographs I’ve taken in Blackpool over the years. It will include a diverse photographs not featured on this website, but are hopefully quite interesting none the less. I took this photograph yesterday and it shows holiday-makers making the most of the lovely sunshine and new promenade.
Technical Information
Camera: Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR
Lens: Canon EF-S 17mm - 85mm IS USM
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 85mm
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
F-Stop: f/16.0
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